KARIKAL, a French settlement in India, situated on the south-east coast, within the limits of Tanjore district, with-an area of 53 sq. m., and 'a population (1901) of 56,595. The site was promised to the French by the Tanjore raja in 1738, in return for services rendered, but was only obtained by them by force in 1739. It was captured by the British in 176o, restored in 1765, again taken in 1768, and finally restored. in 1817. The town is neatly built on one of the mouths of the Cauvery, and carries on a brisk trade with Ceylon, exporting rice and importing chiefly European articles and timber. A chef de l'administralion, subordinate to the government at Pondicherry, is in charge of the settlement, and there is a tribunal of first instance.